MUNCIE – The city of Muncie and Delaware County sent a message Monday.

Muncie doesn't discriminate.

In separate meetings — one at the beginning of the day, the other late in the evening — local officials met and unanimously approved separate resolutions affirming the community's status as a community that's welcoming regardless of sexual orientation and gender identification.

Both the Delaware County commissioners, early Monday, and Muncie City Council, late Monday, adopted resolutions that, even in their titles, repudiated the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which in recent weeks created a firestorm of controversy that extended past the state's borders.

Supporters of RFRA saw it as a means of protecting business owners of faith, but critics saw it as legalized discrimination, particularly against LGBT people. After national outcry, the state last week made changes to clarify that RFRA was not intended to be discriminatory.

In their resolutions adopted Monday, local officials didn't take any chances, however.

"In Muncie, we are a very inclusive and loving community, and we welcome all," city council member Nora Powell said.

Mayor Dennis Tyler, who spoke at Monday's council meeting, recounted people who thanked him after he called for the resolution last week and also emphasized the practical effect of encouraging businesses and workers to locate here.

"We will not discriminate in Muncie," council member Alison Quirk said.

With eight members present — council member Mary Jo Barton was absent — city council unanimously voted to suspend rules and act on the resolution without delay, prompting applause from the crowd in the city hall auditorium.